Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the family of Junior Warrant Officer A Pradeep who was killed in the helicopter crash at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. The cabinet also decided to appoint Pradeep’s wife in government service.
Apart from the ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh, an additional amount of Rs 3 lakh will be granted for the medical expenditure of Pradeep’s ailing father.

Revenue minister K Rajan officially announced the compensation to the late soldier’s family through his official Facebook page.
As per the rule, only dependents of soldiers who were killed in war or similar situations are entitled to claim a job in government service. But the state government decided to give special consideration to Pradeep’s family. Kerala is proudly remembering Pradeep who voluntarily came forward for the rescue operations during the floods in 2018,” said the minister.

Pradeep’s family is going through a tough time. He was the only earning member in the family. His father is on ventilator support. Considering all these facts, the cabinet decided to give a job to his wife Sreelakshmi. She will be appointed in a post as per her qualification. The government also decided to grant Rs 5 lakh from the Sainik welfare fund, added the minister.

Pradeep joined the Air Force in 2004 and served in various parts of the country and participated in several missions.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and his Adviser Brigadier LS Lidder were among the 13 people killed in the air force chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8.

Pradeep was serving as the Flight Gunner on the CDS' flight that crashed at Coonoor.